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Updated: May 23, 2025
Now they were conscious of plains all whitened with saltpeter, now of scudding sand-pillars wind-jinnee of the Empty Abodes that danced and mocked them. Again, one or the other beheld paradisical, gleaming lakes, afar. But though they had lost the complete rationality that would have bidden them lie quiet all day, and trek only at night, they still remembered the pact of the mirages.
This obtained, the engineer treated the fat with soda, which gave both a soluble soap and that neutral substance, glycerine. But this was not all. Cyrus Harding still needed, in view of his future preparation, another substance, nitrate of potash, which is better known under the name of salt niter, or of saltpeter.
But with freezing weather the meat must lie longer in salt. Overhaul it after the first fortnight that is to say break up the bulk, shake away bloody salt, sweep the bottom clean, and put on fresh salt. But use very little saltpeter on the joints this time on pain of making them too hard as to their lean.
"Without any doubt, the island, continents, and the world itself," replied the engineer. "It is only a question of quantity." "Then could you not use this nitro-glycerine for loading firearms?" asked the sailor. "No, Pencroft; for it is too explosive a substance. But it would be easy to make some guncotton, or even ordinary powder, as we have azotic acid, saltpeter, sulphur, and coal.
Sometimes when formed in vociferating groups around a case that four men could have moved in ordinary times, the passing of a woman or a vehicle would make them neglect their work, their diabolical faces filled with childish curiosity. The unloaded cargoes piled up the same articles on the principal docks, wheat, much wheat, sulphur and saltpeter for the composition of explosive material.
Situated as we are, in this wild land, powder is the most precious thing on earth to us." "That is true! that is true!" said Mr. Ware with hasty emphasis. "Without it we shall lie helpless before the Indian attack, should it come. If, as you say, this cave dust contains the saltpeter, the rest will be easy." "It contains saltpeter and the rest will be easy!" "Then, you must go for it.
Sandalwood and tortoise shell and beche de mer; sea horses' teeth, and saltpeter for the Chinese Government. I don't want to hear about your bills of exchange and kegs of Spanish dollars and solid cargoes of tea run back direct. Why, with your Canton and India agents and sight drafts the China service is like dealing with a Boston store."
Then they leached it, pouring water on it in improvised tubs, and dissolving the niter. This solution they boiled down and the residuum was saltpeter or gunpowder, without which no settlement in Kentucky could exist. The little valley now became a scene of great activity. The fires were always burning and sack after sack of gunpowder was laid safely away in a dry place.
From the ammunition bucket he drew a small phial, which had been filled with olive oil, and pouring some hot water and a little shot into it, he soon cleaned it for the reception of the fluid, which he filtered through several thicknesses of his woolen gun-cover. About a fluid ounce of a rather dirty-looking solution of saltpeter resulted, to which a little sugar was added.
“And I never saw such a charming fellow as this nice boy,” said the grateful lady, pointing to Krassotkin. “And I’ll bring you as much powder as you like, Ilusha. We make the powder ourselves now. Borovikov found out how it’s made—twenty-four parts of saltpeter, ten of sulphur and six of birchwood charcoal.
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